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Wednesday, 11 March 2020 01:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Qatar Airways has become the latest airline to offer customers a more understanding and flexible booking policy for travellers.
Passengers who have booked, or will book, flights, either directly from QR or through travel agents, for travel up to 30 June 2020 now have the flexibility to change their travel plans free of charge by altering the dates of their booking or exchanging their ticket for a travel voucher valid for one year.
Fees will be waived if processed at least three days before departure, though any difference in fare price may apply. Terms and conditions apply.
This offer by Qatar Airways is a lot more flexible than some other airlines, which only permit changes to be made free of charge to new bookings.
The airline has also clarified that travellers flying from Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand, all currently banned from entering Qatar, can still transit via Hamad International Airport without a problem. The ban entering Qatar applies to anyone travelling from that country and not just nationals of the country. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Bakar said: “The safety, security and good health of our passengers and employees is our highest priority. Although we maintain the very highest standards of hygiene across all parts of the business, we recognise that some passengers may wish to alter their existing travel plans. We hope this new policy, alongside our robust hygiene practices and safety record, will allow our passengers to travel with confidence.” As an airline, Qatar Airways maintains the highest possible hygiene standards, which include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s on-board linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are removed of ear foams and rigorously sanitised after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.
Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) was the first organisation in the world last year to achieve ISO22000:2018 certification from Bureau Veritas with UKAS accreditation, confirming that its Food Safety Management System met the highest standards. All meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralised fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria. All sanitised equipment is handled by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves, while cutlery is individually re-packed.
Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 170 destinations worldwide.
